France's Essarokh fails drugs test

GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Aug 12 (Reuters) - French middle-distance runner Latifa Essarokh tested positive for a banned performance-enhancing substance after the Stockholm meeting last month, the French Athletics Federation said today.

The 32-year-old Moroccan-born athlete had been due to run in the women's 1,50O metres at the European championships but was suspended until further notice by the FFA on Monday.

The FFA said it had acted after being informed by the ruling body's head doctor that Essarokh could not compete.

The ruling body said in a statement today it had been informed by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) that Essarokh had failed a test after the Stockholm meeting on July 25, where she had beaten the French 1,500 record in three minutes 59.61 seconds by placing second.

The French federation added it had launched disciplinary proceedings and would give no further details for the time being.

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